Repair apparatus for vehicles



July 10, 1945.

A E. W. JOHNSON ET AL REPAIR APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES Filed Jan. 16, 1943 I5 Sheets-Sheet l m1? Mgy 6 PM 0' M July 10, 1945. A. E. w. JOHNSON ET AL 2,330,313

REPAIR APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES 3 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Jan. 16, 1943 July 10, 1945- A. E. w. JOHNSON ET AL 3 3 REP AIR APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed Jan. 16, 1945 Patented July 10, 1945 REPAIR APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES Arnold. E. W. Johnson, Oak Park, John R. Orelind,

Wilmette, and Hiram P. Smith, Canton, 111., assignors til International Harvester Company, a

. corporation of New Jersey pprai e January 16, 1943, Serial No. 472,610 .12 Claims, gci. 2114-1) This inventionrelates to a 'repair and'r'naintenance apparatus for'vehicles and more particularly to an apparatus for'removing and-installing tiresand/or wheels of vehicles. p

Although the principles of theinventionare applicable 'to the aforementioned and other problems in vehicles in general, a preferred fprni'oi the invention is particularly'adapted forfil'se in the removing and switching oftires and/or wheels in agricultural' tractorsj- As is wen known to-those skilled'intheait; 'a tractOr'pI this generally-"has Iargedrive' wheels inbunted fir transverse adjus't'ment and lnterchangeabilityon, the transverse drive' axles' of the tractor 7 Expefri ence has shown 'that the removing and chap l of the tires or wheels'or both can;'becoine acinpliceted t p mew w re. ne si e "a Weight f t partsto h dl tete 9i the additional adjustments provided byinte'r changeability or the tires to opposite' 'sidespf the The principal object offthe "present invention isto provide an apparatus particularly adapted for the removingfehan'g'ing 'and'fifistallation of the tires and/or wheels' of an' agricultural 'tract'or.

It is a further and important objectto adapt the principles of theinvention to an apparatus capable of use for the removing, changing and installation of other parts of vehicles of any type.

Another object is to provide means for supporting the tractor in raised position together with means for carrying a removable or installable part of a vehicle. I

Another object is to provide power-operated means for raising the vehicle and particularly to operate this means by power derived from the vehicle.

Another object is to provide a support for the raised vehicle having carrying means that may be positioned with respect to several removable parts of the vehicle.

Other objects and desirable features of the invention will become apparent as the disclosure is more fully made in the following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

Figure .1 is a side elevational view of an agricultural Ttractor shown with a preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the structure shown in Figure l, the view showing one of the wheelsin section;-

Figures 3 and '4 are similar sectional views showing difierent stages of the removal orilnstallation of a wheel from its axle;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary View on an enlarged.- scale of a portion of the wheel, showing the means for securing 'thewheel .to the axle;

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figure 1 7 but illustrating respectively two' modified.forms of the invention; and r Figures 8 and 9 are modified forms of the invention. 'The tractor chosen for the :purposes of illustration is of the agricultural type and comprises? a main body It! carried'at its front'end' on'a wheeled truck II and provided at its .rear end 'with' a transverse rear axle structureiincluding opposite, transversely extending axle'hous'ings I2 and I 3. These housings respectively journal axles Hand I5." The axle' M has mountedithe'reon'a traction wheel l6, and the axle carries a similarwheel H. The forward portion of the'body It! includes a radiator and grille'structure lB that encloses the tractor engine or power plant- I 9. An operators station is carried at the rear of the body [0. As best shown inFigure'Z; the wheels I 6 and 'I l are respectively mounted o'n'th'e axles l4 and I5 for transverse adjustment. Since both wheel structures and the mountings thereof are identical, the following description will pertain to the left-hand wheel IS.

The wheel l6 includes a hub 2| formed With a n opening 22. The opening has a first, small semicylindric'al portion 23 that fits a semicylindrical portion of the axle M. The other portion of the opening is substantially larger and also semicylindrical, as at 24. The opening is filled by a C-shaped mounting member 25 having -an interior semicylindrical portion complementary to the semicylindrical portion 23 and fitting the other side of the axle M. The mounting member 25 is held in place to secure the wheel I6 to the axle I4 by a plurality of bolts 26. The interior of the surface 23 and the interior surface of the member 25 are provided respectively with keys 2'! and 28 to establish the driving relation between the axle l4 and the wheel l6.

It will be noted from an examination of Figures 2, 3, and 4 that the wheel [8 is concave or dished to one side to provide an annular edge 'or rimsupporting portion 29. It will be noted that the plane of this edge and a plane through the center portion of the hub are axially ofiset. This arrangement provides that the wheel [6 may be moun'tedaon the axle I4 in either the position ShOWn-OP-il'l a reversed position, in the latter case the rim portion 29 being ofifsetlaterally-outwaljdly of the hub of the wheel. A pneumatic the -30 mounted on a rim 3| is carried by the-rim suping of both wheels so that several treads or (115- tances between the wheels may be obtained. The" reversibility of each wheel with respect to-its axle provides additional treads.

Most traction tires of the type used on agricultural tractors have a tread pattern including lugs disposed at angles to the'line of" travelof the vehicle. Best results are obtained in the use of this type of tire when the tir is run with the lugs inclining forwardly and inwardly toward the median plane of the tire, as viewed from the top of the tire. Consequently, when I a. wheel equipped, with atire' of; this type is reversed on the axle, the. inclination of the-lugs is incorrect, requiringthat -the tire'bereversed on the wheel.

It ,will, accordin ly, be seen that the removing and interchanging of onelor bothof the wheels and tires presents a rather complicated task. However, this ta'sk'is simplified by the use of apparatus embodying the present invention, as will .be-see'n from the description below.

. Each of the axlehousings l2 and. I3 is provided e ua ed; its inner end with a substantially square or rectangulanmounting portion 33. In the form iof'gthednventionshown in Figure 1 and 2, the portion. 33 serves as means for the attachment to 35 lthe axlehousing l2 of aunit apparatus for raisthetractor'and for the changing of thetires and/or wheels thereof. As best showngin Figure 1 avertical sleeve 34 is rigidlythough removably secured to the portion 33 of the axle housing I2, 40

lthefsecurin'g means. preferably comprisin a pair .Iolf complementary'clamp sections 35. and' 35 piv- 'oted. together at 31 andfr'emovably secured to- 'geth'e'r bya swinging bolt and nut assembly'38.

The'sleeve 34 is rigidly secured, asby welding,

to"the clamp section 35.' The leeve and/or clamp section 35 carry a .pair. offupstanding plates 39, which journala short transversel shaft 40. Onposite. ends of the shaft carry guides in the form ofpulleys'orrollers 4|.

j LfIhe means for supporting the tractor and for raising'the' tractor preferably comprises a vertical standardl42 having a base 43 resting upon the ground. The vertical portionjof the standard s'lidably passes through the sleeve 34, and its up- 55 tending forwardly and having its forward end provided with a connecting element 41. Each element is connected to an arm 48 keyed to a ock-shaft 49 joumaled transversely of an intermediate portion of the tractor body Ill. Mechanism, not shown, is housed within the interme- 7o diate portion of the tractorbody and is driven lay-the tractor power plant l9 to swing the arm :48 .forwardly and rearwardly about the axis of .the rock-shaft 49. In this manner, ower-operated means. -.deriving rower .1i om .the t cto .1

power plant is provided for operating the means for raising the tractor. It will be understood, of course, that the power-operated means may be replaced by any other similar means, such as those illustrated inFigures 8 and 9.

The device of Figure 8 employs the sleeve 34 to which the vehicle axle I4 is rigidly attached, as

,heretofore described However, instead of employing a flexible member, such as 46 in Figure l which acts to lift the vehicle and sleeve on the standard 42, levers may be utilized to accomplish th ame result. The bell-crank lever 86 has angularly spaced arms 81 and 88 joined by the fulcrum 89. The arm 88 is pivotally attached at 9| to an apertured lug 92 on the standard 42, and the arm 81 is pivotally attached to the connecting rod 93'which in turn is pivotally attached to the arm 48 actuated by the rock-shaft 49. A link 94 pivotally connects the fulcrum 89 of the bellcrank 86 to the shaft 40 on the lug 39, which is an integral part of the sleeve 34. The levers, as just described, may be a single set orfmaybe arranged in pairs to increase the strength of the jack of this invention similarly to the'pair of flexible members employed in Figure 1. In order to obtain a, clearer understandin of the operation of the device the resultant upward positidii' is shown in dashed lines in the drawings.

Figure 9.'sho ws a still further modificatiori'fof jack means that may be employed wheitin no slidlngmember is present. A pair ofj'parallel links 96 and 91 is spaced apart and pivotally' attached to the standard 42. The other e'ndsof the links 96 and 91 are pivotally joined by the link 98 forming a part of the axle housing, [2. The link 91 form one arm of a bell-crank 99, which has another angularly spaced arm I OI. The fulcrum of th bell-crank 99 is the pivot point for the link 98 as shown at I04.- The upper endof the arm' |0| has pivoted thereto an arm H12, which is attached to the rock-shaft; 49'by the link48. Upon movement of the link 48 in a rightwardj direction, the standard 42 is forced downwardly, andinasmuch as it is on the ground, the sleeve and the unitary vehicle move upwardly with respect to the standard 42.

It will be noted that the boom 44'extends laterally at a level above the top of the wheel It. This permits the boom to carry means for supporting the tire and/or wheel. The boomfas shown, is integral with the upright standard, but it is readily seen that the boom may be made separately. This carrying means preferably takes the form of a roller 50 having a shaft 5| therethrough terminating in a crank 52. A bail 53 is carried by the shaft 5| and has its bight portion' disposed below the boom 44 and provided with an eye-bolt 54. The means for connectin the bail .53 to the tire and wheel assembly or to o the tire alone preferably takes the form of a pair of tongs comprising elements 56 and 51. As

bestshown in Figure 2, it will be noted that the pivot between the elements 56 and 51 is directly below the r'oller'5ll, and that the vertical line betweenfthese two points is laterally ofiset toward the concavity of the wheel Hi. The arms of the elements 56 and 51 that extend beyond the intercrank 52 causes the carrier assembly to move laterally inwardly or outwardly on the boom 44, and when the wheel I6 is loosened from the axle I4, the wheel assembly is carried along. In the event that it is necessary to remove only the tire and rim assembly from the wheel, the carrier serves to carry this assembly. Because of the eye-bolt 54, the wheel assembly or part thereof supported by the carrier may be turned about the vertical axis of the eye-bolt, so thatthewheel assembly or part thereof may be reversed with respect to the former position thereof. The upper surface of the boom is provided with a pair of spaced stops 6!) to prevent the roller "50 from running-ofi the boom.

In the modification shown in Figure 6, the raising and supporting apparatus is modified so that it may be attached to both sides of the tractor. The tractor and the parts thereof correspond to previous illustrations, and correr i sponding reference characters designate similar parts. In this form of the invention, each of the axle housings l2 and [3 has mounted thereon a vertical sleeve, these sleeves being designated at G l and 62.' The means for mountin the sleeves on the axle housings may be identical to that shown and described in connection with Figure 1. The supporting means comprises an inverted U 63 preferablyof tubular cross-section, having its le'gs' provided with base plates 64 engagin the ground. The sleeves 6i and 62 respectively carry rollers or pulleys 65 about which are trained flexible elements in the form of 'cables6 6. One end of each 'cable is connected to one'ofa pair of transverse studs 61 respectively" carried by the legs of the standard.' The other endsj'of the cables are connected to means for drawing the cables around the under portions of the pulleys for raising the tractor. 'The'means for accomplishing this result maybe identical to that set forthwith respect to Figure 1, in this case the rock-shaft 49. being equipped with additional arms 48 toaccoinmodate the several cables.

The intermediate portion of the bight of the U 63 carriesrigi'dlythereon a vertical sleeve 68. This sleeve provides a bearing for a vertical portion 69 of a transversely extending boom 10. The boom is swingable about the vertical axis of the sleeve 68 for positioning of the boom at either side of the tractor so that a tire Or wheel removed from one side of the tractor may be carried by the boom to the other side of the tractor for installation thereat. In the form of the invention just described, the raising means is so arranged as to lift either or both sides of the tractor. I

The means for carrying the tire and/or wheel on the boom 10 may be identical to that shown in Figure 2, and accordingly, this means in Figure 6 is designated simply by the reference character 55. The boom 10 is equipped with a pair or laterally spaced stops H for the purpose previously set forth. I

In the form of the invention shown m Figure '7, the apparatus is similar in many respects towith a secondary sleeve or ferrule 75. The standard 73 is preferably tubular in cross-section and thus provides at its upper end a vertical interior bearing for the downwardly extending end 16 of a transverse boom 11. The other end 01 the boom is turned downwardly into a verticaj leg 18, the lower end of which is supported on a rolling element in the form of a ground wheel 19. It will thus be seen that the boom 11 may be swung about the axis of the standard '13 tc positions at opposite sides of the tractor, the 230m being supported additionally on the wheei The standard 13 is provided adjacent its upper portion with a transverse stud 80, to the opposite ends of which are connected ends of cables 8|. These cables are trained about rollers or pulleys 82 carried on a transverse shaft on the sleeve structure 12 and are then connected to means fol drawing the cables about the pulleys for raising the tractor. The means for accomplishing this result may be the same as that shown and described in connection with Figure l. The carrier means for supporting the tire and/or wheel on the boom while being changed may be identicai to that shown anddescribed in connection with Figure 2, and accordingly, the carrier in Figure 7 is designated only by the numeral 55.

In the operation and use of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2, power from the engine is transmitted through the rock-shaft 49 and arm 48 to the cable 46, the result being that one side ofthe tractor is raised. The tractor is maintamed in this raised position upon cessation o1 movement of the arm 48, although the tractor maybe further supported in raised position by the insertion of a pin, or the like, between the sleeve 34 and the standard 42, the standard beng provided with a plurality of transverse openings 83 for this purpose. One such pin is indicated at 84 in Figure 2. In the event that the entire wheel assembly is to be removed from the axle M, the carrier, including the tong assembly 55, is positioned above the wheel and the elements 56 and 5'! are disposed to connect the carrier to the wheel. The C-shaped hub member 25 (Figure 5) is removed and the wheel assumes the position on the axle shown in Figure 3. It is preferable that the operator turn the wheel b5 hand.- to such a position that the hub member 2! is at the under side of the axle l4. With the tractor and apparatus in this position, the tractor is lowered slightly, the wheel in the meantime bemg maintained at its original level by the carrier assembly on the boom 44. At this time the axle [4 assumes the position shown in Figure 4 the axle being then loosely associated with the opening 22 in the wheel. It is noW a very simple matter to move the carrier assembly outwardh on the boom 44.

When the wheel is reinstalled, the foregoing procedure is followed in reverse order. The axle having been maintained in its aforesaid position passes easily through the opening 22 in the but of the wheel 16. Of course, the wheel is positioned so that the axle engaging portion 23 i a1 the upper side of the axle. The arm 48 is moved forwardly to raise the tractor so that the axle engages this under surface 23. The wheel is now supppg ted on the axle instead of on the carrier unit, as.before, and the member 25 may be easily reinserted between the axle and the larger semicircular opening 22.

The tong unit is particularly adapted for the removal of the tire 30 and rim 3| from 'th' the wheel by means of the carrier assembly on the boom 44. The tire may be just as easily reinstalled. It will be understood, of course, that the tong unit 55 may be suitably replaced by any i equivalent structure, such as a chain or the like passed through the spokes of the wheel IS,

The use of the apparatus shown in Figure 6 or Figure 7 follows that set forth above. In both ofthe. last-mentioned figures, however, the booms 'Hlor 11 are swingable from one side of the tractor to the other, for the purpose hereinbefore described.

It. will be seen that the preferred forms of the invention achieve in a desirable manner the objects hereinbefore enumerated. Other objects and features of the invention will undoubtedly suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that the foregoing disclosure is .only illustrative, and it is not intended thereby to limit the scope of the appended claims.

' What is claimed is:

1. Repair apparatus for the changing of tires orwheels ofia vehicle: comprising a support connected to the vehicle; means on the support for raising the vehicle; and means on the support for temporarily carrying a removed tire or wheel of the vehicle, in a position adapting said tire or wheel for reinstallation on the vehicle while the vehicle is raised on the support.

2. Repair apparatus for the changing of tires or .wheels of a vehicle having a power source: comprising a support; means on the support for raising the vehicle; means for operating the raising'means from the vehicle power source, and means on the support for temporarily carrying a removed tire or wheel in a position adapting said tireor wheel for reinstallation on the vehicle,

3. Repair apparatus for the changing of tires or wheelsof a vehicle: comprising a support; means on the support for raising the vehicle; means on the support for temporarily carrying a removed tire or wheel in a position adapting said tire or wheel for reinstallation on the vehicle; and means mounting the carrying means movably on the support for positioning of the carrying means for the changing oftwo or more wheels or tires of the vehicle.

4. Repair apparatus for the changing of tires or wheels of a vehicle having a power source: comprising a support; means on the support for raising the vehicle; means for operating the raising means from the vehicle power source, means on the support for temporarily carrying a removed tire or wheel in a position adapting said tire or wheel or reinstallation on the vehicle; and means mounting the carrying means movably n the support for positioning of the carrying means for the changing of two or more wheels or tires of the vehicle.

5. For a vehicle having a transversely removable and installable wheel part: a repair apparatus; comprising a support; means for securing thewheel part for carrying said wheel part by and along the boom upon removal or installation of said wheel part.

6. For a vehicle having a transversely removable and installable wheel part: a repair apparatus, comprising a support; means for securing the support to the vehicle; a vertical standard; a transverse boom carried at one end at an upper portion of the standard for swinging about a vertical axis with respect to the vehicle; means for supporting the other end of the boom from the ground; means movable along the boom in the direction of removal or installation of the wheel part; and means adapted to connect the movable means andthe wheel part for carrying said wheel part by and along the boom upon removal or installation of said wheel part.

7. For a vehicle having a plurality of transversely removable and installable wheel parts: a repair apparatus, comprising a support; means for securing the support to the vehicle; a vertical standard; a transverse boom carried at one end on the standard for movement of the boom to various positions with respect to the vehicle wheel parts; means including a rolling element for supporting the other end of the boom from the ground; means movable along the boom, in a. selected position of the boom, in the direction of removal or installation of a wheel part; and means adapted to connect the movable means and a wheel part for carrying said wheel part upon removal or installation of said wheel part.

8. Tire or wheel changing apparatus for a vehicle having an axle structure including a vehicle supporting wheel at each end thereof, said apparatus comprising an upright standard resting on the ground and including an attaching part for connection to said axle structure, said standard extending upwardly well above the axle structure,

means on the standard for raising the vehicle, said standard serving to supportthe vehicle when a wheel or tire thereof is removed, a boom part included in the upper end of the standard, and wheel or tire carrying means mounted on the boom part for movement therealong.

9. Tire or wheel changing apparatus for a vehicle having a body structure including a, pair of supporting traction wheels, said apparatus comprising a substantially vertical narrow standard,

said standard adapted to be journaled for vertical reciprocal movement on and with respect to said body structure, means for raising the vehicle on the standard, said standard extending upwardly above the vehicle body structure and having a transversely extending boom at the upper end thereof, and means on the boom for carrying a wheel or tire removed from the vehicle, whereby the standard serves to support the vehicle when a wheel is so removed and being carried by the boom at the upper end of the standard.

10. Tire or wheel changing apparatus for a vehicle having a body structure including a pair of supporting traction wheels, said apparatus comprising a. substantially vertical narrow standard, said standard adapted to be journaled for vertical reciprocal movement on and with respect to said body structure, power means on the vehicle for raising the vehicle on the tandard, said standard extending upwardly above the vehicle body structure and a transversely extending boom at the upper end thereof, and means on the boom for carrying a wheel or tire removed from the vehicle, whereby the standard serves to support the vehicle when a wheel is so removed and being carried by the boom at th'e upper end of the standard 11. Tire or wheel changing apparatus for a vehicle having a body structure including a pair of supporting traction wheels, said apparatus comprising a substantially vertical narrow standard, said standard adapted to be journaled for vertical reciprocal movement on and with respect to said body structure, means for raising the vehicle on the standard, said standard extending upwardly above the vehicle body structure and having a transversely extending boom at the upper end thereof, means on the boom for carrying a wheel or tire removed from the vehicle, said standard journaled at a point substantially midway between the pair of supporting wheels, whereby the standard serves to support the vehicle when either or both wheels are removed.

12. Tire or wheel changing apparatus for a vehicle having a body structure including a pair of supporting traction wheels, said apparatus comprising a substantially Vertical narrow standard, said standard adapted to be journaled for vertical reciprocal movement on and with respect to'saicl body structure, means for raising the vehicle on the standard, said standard extending upwardly above the vehicle body structure and having a transversely extending boom at the upper end thereof, and means on the boom for carrying a wheel or tire removed from the vehicle, said boom having an outer ground support.

ARNOLD E. W. JOHNSON. JOHN R. ORELIND. HIRAM P. SMITH. 

